Most Trick Lightest Mtn Bike Frame

I have a set of XTR components to build a dream bike w/. Now I need a 14-15” hard tail or full suspension frame. Want it light & low. Any suggestions?

 

Story of your life eh?

 

Find someone to make you a beryllium frame.

 

Santa Cruz blur or superlight are nice frames, as is the turner burner and specialized s-works stumpjumper fsr 120

 

Start with these:

http://www.ifbikes.com/frames2/tungsten-electrode.shtml

http://www.litespeed.com/bikes/2005/niotati.aspx

http://www.moots.com/bike-mtn-smoothie.php

IMHO these are the lightest and trickest MTB's on the market. These makers also sell hardtails which would be considered top of the line, however, these are all going to be very pricey compilations of metal tubing and shocks.
-Kevin

 

Light aluminium bikes break. If you want a light frame and you want it to last
buy a 853 CrMo frame set. Steel is real.
But the titanium frames are a bit lighter but way softer, I don't like the soft feel
I had a titanium frame for a while but it flexed so much the tires rubbed on the frame.
Now I ride a Santa Cruz Chameleon hardtail 4.5lbs and strong as hell. Yes it weighs 1lb more than a light aluminium frame but it wont break frome stress.

 

www.sevencycles.com

 

Weight is not an issue to me anymore. I went through that 10 years ago with my American Comp Lite (7005 T6). The bike was 20.5 lbs complete with XTR, Ti bolts & parts everywhere, Grip shift 24sp, etc... The bike was fun but I had a bad habit of busting parts, damn thing was too fragile & hard for me to control. Let’s just say I was making a lot of warranty clams. I broke my last back up break-away derailleur hanger & then traded the frame & fork for a P/C. Then decided to go with a Santa Cruz Heckler & built it like a tank, 32 lbs+. So far this is one of the best bikes I've owned.

1998 Santa Cruz Heckler - Apple Green
Shimano XT 24 speed
Marzocchi Z1 BAM front shock
Stratos XC pro rear shock
Azonic shorty stem
Answer Aluminite 7075 downhill bars
Race Face cranks & headset
Ringle seat post & hubs w/ Sun Rhyno lite rims
etc..
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Too bad, I've got a friend who can hook you up with a really nice CF frame out here in Cali (and all components) for under $1500.

I'm sure your mother, the RX-7 & 328 would be jealous, however. Besides, what would be call that, 'Roids on Wheels'?

C.

 

If you buy a Kona Hei Hei, you will never be let down. Used to race one, sold it, have always regreted it. Awesome feel, oversized tubing for lateral stiffness and lack of bottom bracket deflection, and good vertical compliancy inherent with Ti. Pricing was not bad either. Geometry is great and good for either wide open fire roads or tight single track.

Chris

 

I've owned 2 Ellsworth Sub 22 hardtails and loved them both. One was stolen and the other was demolished after the bike carrier failed on the freeway. My wife rides a Santa Cruz Blur and it's a nice full suspension for the money. I had a Red Hot cf hardtail years ago, it was way too rigid.

 

Ellsworth all the way!

 

I have a titanium Merlin Mountain hardtail that I've been riding for 10 years, through 3 component groups. The bare frame weighs 3.5lbs in 18.75" and has been awesome. Comfortable, still stiff, and durable. MSRP back in '94 was $2k and it was worth every penny.

An original Merlin guy, Rob Vandermark, founded Seven. Seven is really the current version of the company that built my bike - modern Merlin is just a name that's part of some big company.

 

First, decide hardtail or full-suspension cause they are night and day. Then start thinking about specific models.

Been riding a Cannondale SV2000 (full suspension) for 7 years now, with spinergies, and a bunch of trick parts here and there. At 26-27lbs though, kind of heavy. Has been bullet proof other than blowing out the Fox air/oil rear shock and the Headshok, each once. Sold me on their frame quality.

I used to trail ride everyday when I was in school in CT, but now back in NJ I find myself doing a lot more street riding (4-5 times a week before work) and trails only on the weekend. Hence the full suspension pogo sticking and heft is getting a bit old, you lose so much power (granted you save your ass, and can hit some stupid-high air, but still).

If I bought another bike today, yes I'm regularly drooling over them, it would be a Cdale hardtail, an F4000SL (Optimo Si) or a F2000SL (Optimo). The F4000 uses a Lefty though so your rims choices are pretty narrow, the F2000 has a Headshok so you can use whatever.

Gotta pick the frame style that suits you best though...

 

Maverick M7. I use a 6al/4v prototype that I got from Litespeed when they used to sponsor me but if I stepped up to a full suspension, this is what it would be.

 

SEVEN. FInd a dealer is a Seven retailer and have them fit you for a custom frame. You will spend a few $$$$'s but you will never regret the decision.

I had a Seven road bike built for me a couple of years ago and it is like an extension of your body.

 

My buddy just built a bike around this frame
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This satisifies all the criteria, and then some, as it is highly recommended by a urologist of considerabill repute.
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Seven or Ellsworth.

 

Ironically enough, that is a bike company that is not that well known but builds very impressive stuff. I had one of there bikes for about 4 years and sold it only because I wanted something new, I could not wear it out! Good stuff for a good price. As for Merlin now, it is just a Litespeed with different badging. If you want the Merlin that was what it used to be you have to buy a Seven. You had better have your seatbelt fastened though when you call for the price quote! If you want full suspension though, the Santa Cruz Blur and the Superlight (I think, chime in if I am wrong) are supposed to be great. Ellsworth is really nice but I think that their best stuff is the really heavy duty downhill bikes, that is what they are primarily known for I believe. If you are cost concious you could look at the stuff from Gary Fisher and also Specialized S works. They make one of the best bang for your buck bikes out there.

Chris

 

I've decided to go w/ a hardtail & stay light & twitchy.
Lionsfan: That carbon fiber - Ti Dean frame is sweet! Also I have always liked Litespeed (looked at their minimal full sus bike) &, well, Merlin was out there w/ Kestrel in the beginning. Love those early Ti & cf bikes that started it all. Seven maybe is the ultimate in Ti but is very pricy as is Moots. I wish the Trek OCLV ht came in a smaller size. I will look into Ellsworth next. You guys are great!

 

You make this too easy at times.

Hey, I STILL have not gotten a call from your attorney.

 

Do you REALLY want one?

 

I was just validating your level of BS

 

Did I miss something here? Obviously.